Guest guest Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 -Hi Strum welcome to the group. I am sorry to hear about your back pain. I had a double fusion a little over a year ago from L4-L5 and L5-S1. They used 4 small screws to hold the fusion together and no other rods or cages. Do you know what kind of fusion you are going to have done?? it seems anymore the drs use several different kinds. I had never even heard of these screws before I had mine done. I have to say the surgery was partly successful, alot of my constant severe sciatic pain in my whole left side has gotten better. Unfortunately its was 6 yrs before they did the fusion and in that time the nerve was severly damaged so I still have pain off and on all down my leg. I wish I could say it was 100% successful but I think the drs's waited too long and I paid for it in the long run. If only they would do fusions sooner rather than try everything else that fails for years and let the damage build up in the meantime. I wish you good luck on your surgery, if there are any questions I can answer for you feel free to ask or email me. I am sure since you have been in the medical field for so long you know more than most people about what you are having done. Good luck and welcome again to the group. Sharon Group Owner -- In neck pain , " ckstrum " <ckstrum@...> wrote: > > Hi there, I am new to the site, I actually go by Strum - since even > before the internet was born. I am mid 30's, and have had trouble with > my back for quite some time. I have worked in the field of EMS for > about 13 years now, and I am also a nurse. So, I have not been > very kind to my back. I had two lumbar laminectomies in 1998. > Since then, I have done pretty well. However, last Christmas, I > reinjured my back. I was seeing a pain doc for several months, but > then in September I made a wrong move and ruptured the L5/S1 disc. A > discogram (what fun) revealed that my L3/L4 disc is also ruptured, and > there is damage to the L4/L5 disc as well. So, anyway, I am scheduled > to have a anterior lumbar intervertebral fusion in November. > > My reason for coming to this board was to offer any support that I > might have for others with similar problems as well as to try to > connect with some others who have had this procedure. I would love to > hear their experiences and any suggestions you all may have for me to > prepare for surgery - Nov. 8th, by the way. Thank you for your time > and I wish you all the best of health. > > Strum > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 -Hi Strum welcome to the group. I am sorry to hear about your back pain. I had a double fusion a little over a year ago from L4-L5 and L5-S1. They used 4 small screws to hold the fusion together and no other rods or cages. Do you know what kind of fusion you are going to have done?? it seems anymore the drs use several different kinds. I had never even heard of these screws before I had mine done. I have to say the surgery was partly successful, alot of my constant severe sciatic pain in my whole left side has gotten better. Unfortunately its was 6 yrs before they did the fusion and in that time the nerve was severly damaged so I still have pain off and on all down my leg. I wish I could say it was 100% successful but I think the drs's waited too long and I paid for it in the long run. If only they would do fusions sooner rather than try everything else that fails for years and let the damage build up in the meantime. I wish you good luck on your surgery, if there are any questions I can answer for you feel free to ask or email me. I am sure since you have been in the medical field for so long you know more than most people about what you are having done. Good luck and welcome again to the group. Sharon Group Owner -- In neck pain , " ckstrum " <ckstrum@...> wrote: > > Hi there, I am new to the site, I actually go by Strum - since even > before the internet was born. I am mid 30's, and have had trouble with > my back for quite some time. I have worked in the field of EMS for > about 13 years now, and I am also a nurse. So, I have not been > very kind to my back. I had two lumbar laminectomies in 1998. > Since then, I have done pretty well. However, last Christmas, I > reinjured my back. I was seeing a pain doc for several months, but > then in September I made a wrong move and ruptured the L5/S1 disc. A > discogram (what fun) revealed that my L3/L4 disc is also ruptured, and > there is damage to the L4/L5 disc as well. So, anyway, I am scheduled > to have a anterior lumbar intervertebral fusion in November. > > My reason for coming to this board was to offer any support that I > might have for others with similar problems as well as to try to > connect with some others who have had this procedure. I would love to > hear their experiences and any suggestions you all may have for me to > prepare for surgery - Nov. 8th, by the way. Thank you for your time > and I wish you all the best of health. > > Strum > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 -Hi Strum welcome to the group. I am sorry to hear about your back pain. I had a double fusion a little over a year ago from L4-L5 and L5-S1. They used 4 small screws to hold the fusion together and no other rods or cages. Do you know what kind of fusion you are going to have done?? it seems anymore the drs use several different kinds. I had never even heard of these screws before I had mine done. I have to say the surgery was partly successful, alot of my constant severe sciatic pain in my whole left side has gotten better. Unfortunately its was 6 yrs before they did the fusion and in that time the nerve was severly damaged so I still have pain off and on all down my leg. I wish I could say it was 100% successful but I think the drs's waited too long and I paid for it in the long run. If only they would do fusions sooner rather than try everything else that fails for years and let the damage build up in the meantime. I wish you good luck on your surgery, if there are any questions I can answer for you feel free to ask or email me. I am sure since you have been in the medical field for so long you know more than most people about what you are having done. Good luck and welcome again to the group. Sharon Group Owner -- In neck pain , " ckstrum " <ckstrum@...> wrote: > > Hi there, I am new to the site, I actually go by Strum - since even > before the internet was born. I am mid 30's, and have had trouble with > my back for quite some time. I have worked in the field of EMS for > about 13 years now, and I am also a nurse. So, I have not been > very kind to my back. I had two lumbar laminectomies in 1998. > Since then, I have done pretty well. However, last Christmas, I > reinjured my back. I was seeing a pain doc for several months, but > then in September I made a wrong move and ruptured the L5/S1 disc. A > discogram (what fun) revealed that my L3/L4 disc is also ruptured, and > there is damage to the L4/L5 disc as well. So, anyway, I am scheduled > to have a anterior lumbar intervertebral fusion in November. > > My reason for coming to this board was to offer any support that I > might have for others with similar problems as well as to try to > connect with some others who have had this procedure. I would love to > hear their experiences and any suggestions you all may have for me to > prepare for surgery - Nov. 8th, by the way. Thank you for your time > and I wish you all the best of health. > > Strum > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 -Hi Strum welcome to the group. I am sorry to hear about your back pain. I had a double fusion a little over a year ago from L4-L5 and L5-S1. They used 4 small screws to hold the fusion together and no other rods or cages. Do you know what kind of fusion you are going to have done?? it seems anymore the drs use several different kinds. I had never even heard of these screws before I had mine done. I have to say the surgery was partly successful, alot of my constant severe sciatic pain in my whole left side has gotten better. Unfortunately its was 6 yrs before they did the fusion and in that time the nerve was severly damaged so I still have pain off and on all down my leg. I wish I could say it was 100% successful but I think the drs's waited too long and I paid for it in the long run. If only they would do fusions sooner rather than try everything else that fails for years and let the damage build up in the meantime. I wish you good luck on your surgery, if there are any questions I can answer for you feel free to ask or email me. I am sure since you have been in the medical field for so long you know more than most people about what you are having done. Good luck and welcome again to the group. Sharon Group Owner -- In neck pain , " ckstrum " <ckstrum@...> wrote: > > Hi there, I am new to the site, I actually go by Strum - since even > before the internet was born. I am mid 30's, and have had trouble with > my back for quite some time. I have worked in the field of EMS for > about 13 years now, and I am also a nurse. So, I have not been > very kind to my back. I had two lumbar laminectomies in 1998. > Since then, I have done pretty well. However, last Christmas, I > reinjured my back. I was seeing a pain doc for several months, but > then in September I made a wrong move and ruptured the L5/S1 disc. A > discogram (what fun) revealed that my L3/L4 disc is also ruptured, and > there is damage to the L4/L5 disc as well. So, anyway, I am scheduled > to have a anterior lumbar intervertebral fusion in November. > > My reason for coming to this board was to offer any support that I > might have for others with similar problems as well as to try to > connect with some others who have had this procedure. I would love to > hear their experiences and any suggestions you all may have for me to > prepare for surgery - Nov. 8th, by the way. Thank you for your time > and I wish you all the best of health. > > Strum > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Hi Strum, Welcome! Just wanted to wish you the very best with your upcoming surgery! Hopefully this will be your ticket to a pain free life! I had a discectomy May 2006 and things just haven't improved for me plus now I have problems in my neck. I'm pretty sure I have done every injection and pain mgmt. procedure out there; none have worked. I'm going to be trying the spinal cord stimulator soon and am hoping that will give me some relief. My neurosurgeon doesn't believe a fusion will help me and he said because of my age (34) I would end up worse in the long run. Fusions aren't for everybody, but I have heard several success stories, so you hang in there and we'll all be pulling for you. Take care, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Hi Strum, Welcome! Just wanted to wish you the very best with your upcoming surgery! Hopefully this will be your ticket to a pain free life! I had a discectomy May 2006 and things just haven't improved for me plus now I have problems in my neck. I'm pretty sure I have done every injection and pain mgmt. procedure out there; none have worked. I'm going to be trying the spinal cord stimulator soon and am hoping that will give me some relief. My neurosurgeon doesn't believe a fusion will help me and he said because of my age (34) I would end up worse in the long run. Fusions aren't for everybody, but I have heard several success stories, so you hang in there and we'll all be pulling for you. Take care, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2007 Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 Hi Strum, I'm still somewhat new to the group but I have read about you upcoming surgetery and wanted to wish you the best. I hope it all comes out good for you! Best Wishes on better health! Gerald > > Hi Strum, > Welcome! Just wanted to wish you the very best with your upcoming > surgery! Hopefully this will be your ticket to a pain free life! I had > a discectomy May 2006 and things just haven't improved for me plus now > I have problems in my neck. I'm pretty sure I have done every injection > and pain mgmt. procedure out there; none have worked. I'm going to be > trying the spinal cord stimulator soon and am hoping that will give me > some relief. My neurosurgeon doesn't believe a fusion will help me and > he said because of my age (34) I would end up worse in the long run. > Fusions aren't for everybody, but I have heard several success stories, > so you hang in there and we'll all be pulling for you. Take care, > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2007 Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 Hi Strum, I'm still somewhat new to the group but I have read about you upcoming surgetery and wanted to wish you the best. I hope it all comes out good for you! Best Wishes on better health! Gerald > > Hi Strum, > Welcome! Just wanted to wish you the very best with your upcoming > surgery! Hopefully this will be your ticket to a pain free life! I had > a discectomy May 2006 and things just haven't improved for me plus now > I have problems in my neck. I'm pretty sure I have done every injection > and pain mgmt. procedure out there; none have worked. I'm going to be > trying the spinal cord stimulator soon and am hoping that will give me > some relief. My neurosurgeon doesn't believe a fusion will help me and > he said because of my age (34) I would end up worse in the long run. > Fusions aren't for everybody, but I have heard several success stories, > so you hang in there and we'll all be pulling for you. Take care, > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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